The LSU Tigers men’s basketball team advances to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after defeating St. Bonaventure.
LSU beat the Bonnies 76-61 in the first round behind a 27-point performance from Cameron Thomas.
How It Happened:
It was a slow start for both offenses.
The score was tied 4-4 after eight minutes of action.
The scoring began in the second part of the first 20 minutes. Darius Days assisted on a Trendon Watford dunk to put LSU up 10-8 with 10 minutes remaining.
A pair of Thomas free throws along with a 3-pointer from Days gave the Tigers a 15-10 lead over the Bonnies.
The biggest lead of the first half for LSU came after Thomas made two more free throws. The Tigers led 29-18 with 2:38 remaining.
The offense slowed down again, but the half ended with St. Bonaventure’s Kyle Lofton making a layup and a made Ja’Vonte Smart jumper.
LSU led 31-22 at halftime.
The scoring picked up in the second half. LSU outscored St. Bonaventure 45-39 in the final 20 minutes.
The Tigers opened the second half with a 12-5 run to lead 43-27 with 17:28 remaining.
A Jalen Holmes made free throw cut the deficit to nine points for the Bonnies. They trailed 48-39.
Days and Thomas once again put the Tigers up 62-48 with a flurry of made shots and free throws. Days made a 3-pointer with 3:51 left in the game as LSU led 72-56.
The game was out of reach for St. Bonaventure as they struggled to put points together down the stretch.
LSU won 76-61. Holmes led the Bonnies in scoring with 18 points.
Big Number: 3
The LSU defense stepped up with their 3-point defense. St. Bonaventure only made three 3-pointers in the game. They shot 3-of-20 from beyond the arc.
Player of the Game: Cameron Thomas
Thomas did not let a slow start stop him from having a big day. He scored a game-high 27 points on 7-of 18 from the field and 11-of-13 from the free throw line. He also added four rebounds and three assists.
Up Next: LSU will play the winner of Michigan-Texas Southern in the second round on Monday.